First Date Tips
The first date is always an awkward situation for both people involved, but a few good first date tips can get you off on the right foot. The number one of all first date tips is to be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Don’t put on airs. Don’t try to impress.
Start out with no expectations. Don’t think you have to knock her socks off or vice-versa. It’s not a bad idea to meet for the first time in a well-lit, well-populated environment. That way there will be no concerns about safety especially if you know absolutely nothing about the other person or if you met him or her online. If safety is truly a concern, take separate cars and meet at the date site. That way the other person will not know where you live.
Go somewhere you both are comfortable. If, for instance, the first date is at a restaurant, make sure you have asked what kind of food she likes. Taking a vegetarian to a well-know steakhouse is not going to win points. And, unless the first date is known in advance to be a black-tie-only affair, dress casually and go somewhere where the environment is definitely low key.
First date tips on some little things--don’t wear too much perfume, it can be overpowering and more of a turn-off than a turn-on. The same with aftershave--she might not want to be taking home the scent of your aftershave after just from riding in the enclosed space of your automobile. Be clean and dress nicely. If you are the guy, open doors for her and be polite. Stay away from terribly off-color humor or crude jokes. Do not drink alcohol in excess!
Try to let the conversation develop naturally without forcing it. It’s OK to talk about work, hobbies, kids, sports (if a mutual interest). Try and keep the conversation as low key as possible. Don’t go on and on about yourself. You might want to keep religion, politics and your ex-wife or husband out of the conversation.
If a date is going badly--if you have absolutely nothing in common--if you have perhaps even gone so far as to have formed a dislike about the other person, there is no reason on earth not to end such a date early. If after thirty minutes or an hour you can tell that neither of you will ever develop any kind of interest in one another, just say that this doesn’t seem to be working out--let’s call it night. Chances are pretty good that if you are feeling this way, the other person is too.
And, when the date is over, don’t lead someone on by indicating that yes, you will call them again, when you have absolutely no intention of doing so. Honesty is always the best policy, especially when dealing with relationships. You can always just end the date on a pleasant note by saying it was nice meeting him or her and end the conversation right there. Never say something you don’t mean just to make the other person happy. The best thing is always going to be talk openly and candidly about your experience.